Theology of The Matrix

Reality, it is a concept that many struggle with. What is reality? What is real?
No one really knows. The nature of life is the greatest mystery of all time. For
centuries, the question of purpose and meaning has been one of humanity's
driving forces. Why are we here? What are we meant to do? We live our lives,
day after day, in what we call the real world. But, what if, as in The Matrix, reality
is fiction?
In The Matrix, reality is a world of the future, when our greatest
accomplishments, are our greatest failures. Computers evolve to a state beyond
artificial intelligence, they become life forms themselves. In a vain attempt to
stop the solar powered machines, humanity covers the earth in darkness. In
order to maintain themselves, humanity becomes the machine's power source,
and the Matrix is created to control their minds.
Strangely enough, the film contains ideas both of orthodox and Gnostic
Christian tradition. On the side of orthodoxy, there is one main point: choice.
Although not a large part of the film, all of it is based on one thing, the choice.
The blue pill, or the red one. Much of the remainder of the film reflects gnostic
ideas. The least and most obvious connection is creation and redemption.
In gnostic thought, the world was created by an imperfect, misguided
entity. This entity created life, although flawed. In The Matrix, machines, and
the Matrix itself, are created by humans (imperfect creatures). The only main
deviation is that, in gnostic thought, the creator had nothing to do with the divine
world. But in the film, the creator could alter the matrix, and after his death, hid
return was prophesied.

As in gnostic thought, Neo comes from the 'real' world, goes into the
'shadow' world in order to free the saved. In this one of the reasons the gnostics
were an outlawed group: a dualistic world. In gnosticism God and his angels are
in heaven, the real world. The Demurrage, the creator, is in the shadow land,
the world he created, his own personal matrix. In the gnostic tradition, the savior
comes from the real world, into the darkness, then returns to it. This is the
largest gnostic idea in the film: two worlds, one being a mear reflection of the
other.
One other major gnostic theme is mentioned, though briefly:
predestination, or at least an altered form of it. In the film, only those who had
the desire to know more about their 'home.' Not everyone was ready or able to
be saved. Gnostics say that only the descendants of Seth may be saved, while
the descendants of Cain, could not be saved.
The truth can be a frightening thing, especially dedendingon the nature of
the truth. When comes to our perception of everyday activities, it seems to be so
real. The truth is, we don't know what's out there, but how things will turn out, or
how that began.

Related Searches

Important Note: If you'd like to save a copy of the
paper on your computer, you can COPY and PASTE it into your word
processor. Please, follow these steps to do that in Windows:

1. Select the text of the paper with the mouse and press Ctrl+C.2. Open your word processor and press Ctrl+V.

Company's Liability

123HelpMe.com (the "Web Site") is produced by the "Company". The contents of this Web Site, such as text, graphics, images, audio, video and all other material ("Material"), are protected by copyright under both United States and foreign laws.
The Company makes no representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the Material or about the results to be obtained from using the Material. You expressly agree that any use of the Material is entirely at your own risk. Most of the Material on the Web Site is provided and maintained by third parties. This third party Material may not be screened by the Company prior to its inclusion on the Web Site. You expressly agree that the Company is not liable or responsible for any defamatory, offensive, or illegal conduct of other subscribers or third parties.

The Materials are provided on an as-is basis without warranty express or implied. The Company and its suppliers and affiliates disclaim all warranties, including the warranty of non-infringement of proprietary or third party rights, and the warranty of fitness for a particular purpose. The Company and its suppliers make no warranties as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the material, services, text, graphics and links.

For a complete statement of the Terms of Service, please see our website. By obtaining these materials you agree to abide by the terms herein, by our Terms of Service as posted on the website and any and all alterations, revisions and amendments thereto.